Mohaymen breezes four furlongs at Greentree

Edited Press Release

Unraced since his fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 7, multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen breezed four furlongs Friday morning in anticipation of his next start in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on July 30.

Under exercise rider Rob Massey, the sophomore son of Tapit worked in :47.60 over the synthetic surface at the private Greentree Training Facility behind Saratoga's main track.

It was the fifth work in Saratoga for Mohaymen, who had breezed over the main track each of the past two weeks, including a five-furlong move in 1:00.79 July 15.

"He worked great," trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. "He's worked on both but we decided to go back here because it's quieter and there's no one out there. He's worked well there before so we decided to work there. He's fit and doing great and ready to go."

Mohaymen suffered his first career loss when fourth in the April 2 Florida Derby (G1) prior to a closing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, both behind Nyquist. From there he was sent to the farm for a checkup and brief freshening before rejoining McLaughlin's stable.

"He's pretty much stayed the same. He's a light-framed horse but he's a May foal so the chances are he'll continue to mature and fill out over time," McLaughlin explained. "He hasn't missed a beat. I'm not worried about the time (between races). He went home for three weeks and that was it. He's doing great."

The 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy is Saratoga's traditional prep for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) on August 27. McLaughlin is also considering the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on July 31 at Monmouth Park for Mohaymen.

"We're pointing for the Jim Dandy," he said. "We'll stay here and get a prep race here and not have to ship down in the heat and everything else."

Also among several McLaughlin horses to work at Greentree Friday was Frosted, who clocked five furlongs in 1:00.60. It was the third breeze since the gray’s record-setting 14 1/4-length romp in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park.

The Tapit four-year-old is being pointed to the $1.25 million Whitney Stakes (G1) on August 6.

"Frosted worked well and will work one more time for the Whitney," McLaughlin said. "He's doing fabulous.

"As a racing fan, (the Met Mile) was unbelievable. Not only to be the trainer but as a racing fan you don't see races like that very often. He might not duplicate that number or that race again, but we don't think he has to win the next one or two. If he does, great, but we don't think he has to. We just hope he runs a similar race. I doubt that he can do that again ever in his life."

Three-year-old filly Kareena, a 6 1/4-length winner of the Jersey Girl Stakes on June 10 at Belmont Park, worked four furlongs in :47.40 Friday at Greentree for McLaughlin. She will make her graded debut in the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) on August 6.

"She's doing fabulous," McLaughlin said.

Mohaymen photo courtesy of Churchill Downs/Coady Photography